CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Umeda Sky Building
Kita, Osaka
Japan
November 11, 2006
Ryo stared at Dee and his grandmother and shook his head. "As if there was any doubt that your grandmother is very much welcome to join us," he said.
Bikky had already shouted, "Hell yeah!" as soon as Dee finished speaking. Ryo had mind enough to snap out, "Biks!" but then looked at his grandmother-in-law as if she had grown a second head. He knew he was staring before he replied to Dee's question, but could not stop himself. It made him wonder if he had done anything to make this amazing woman feel like she would not be welcome by him.
Sakura laughed at Bikky's response. "I think we know what Bikky's answer is," Dee said. "I was also certain what yours would be too," he said to Ryo.
"I think it's great," Ryo said. "You and Dee need time together."
"I also want time with you and Bikky," Sakura stated. "And Carol too. She may not be one of your children, but she is still family to you. That makes her family to me. However, if we are to do this then, I do have one request, Ryo."
"What's that, Sakura-san?" he asked.
"I know I gave you a choice when we first met, but you are my grandson's husband. Since Daisuke has started to call me Obāsan, and Bikky immediately took to Obaa, then I insist that you call me Obāsan."
Ryo smiled. "I'm so used to having only one, my grandmother." He looked at Dee with a devilish grin. "I suppose if Dee had a living grandmother in his life when I met him, I would expect to call her grandmother too once we married. To find out that he actually has an Obāsan too." He bowed to her slightly. "I will make the effort but forgive me if I forget sometimes."
"I will understand as long as you try," Sakura said with a warm smile. "If it makes it easier for you, you can also call me Grandma."
"I also have one of those, but that's not the reason why I wouldn't feel comfortable calling you anything else but Obāsan." He gave her an apologetic gentle smile. "Daisuke insists on calling your husband Grandfather, and I understand his reasons and stand with him. To call you Grandmother would feel like the same reasons. So Obāsan then."
"My, my husband made quite an impression. Well, I can't say I blame you. I think I took you two away from the other relatives long enough. Especially if I have all of this week with you. Go and get to know your family more."
Dee leaned over to kiss his grandmother's forehead again. It made Ryo smile. He was glad that Sakura decided to join them for the rest of their road trip.
OoOoOoO
Frisco Gold Restaurant
Hankyo Umeda Department Store
Umeda, Osaka
Japan
Bikky and Carol had noticed the Hep Five Ferris wheel on the ride to Umeda Sky Building. Actually, it was Kenny who had pointed it out to Bikky and Carol. When the group was done with the Hanging Garden, Luna and Ken took Kenny and Mami in their family vehicle to Kiko's and Katsuro's restaurant. It was Sakura who suggested since the Hep Five Mall was across the street from the Hankyu Department Store where the restaurant was located, that they go into the mall first so Bikky and Carol could ride the Ferris wheel before going to meetup with the rest of the Osaka family for dinner. Since they were not allowed to take the babies on with them, Dee and Ryo left Darin and Ryoko with Sakura, Saburo and Yoshio while Dee and Ryo went in a car with Bikky and Carol. Kiyoshi and Tatsuya were old enough and made enough noise about wanting to go on it, that Momo and Dafydd also bought tickets so their family could go into the car behind.
Thankfully there wasn't much of a line when they got there, and the ride only took about 15 minutes. As if they didn't get enough photos of Osaka from the Hanging Garden, Dee found himself taking more photos from that angle. Once again, the Ferris wheel was unique. Not only was this one attached to a building like in Nagoya and the one at the Don Quijote at Dotonbori, but it started on the 5th floor of the mall and went up past the mall's roof. Dee filmed a short segment for Carol because she wanted Bikky in the video, and then Bikky turned the camera on Dee and Ryo.
When the ride was over, the group made their way out of the mall and into the department store across the street. The restaurant was on the 14th floor, which was the top floor, and along with the restaurants and cafes there was also an outdoor dining terrace on the roof, allowing people to buy their food and choosing to sit outside. A section of it was closed off and was only for customers of Frisco Gold.
Dee saw many of his relatives mingling on the terrace reserved for his cousins' restaurant. When they got to the entrance of the restaurant, he noticed the sign in Japanese and English saying it was closed that night for a special event.
Katsuro and Kiko had shut down their restaurant so their family could use the entire restaurant for their dinner. Considering the large number of people from Hitoshi's and Kyoshii's family, it made sense. Seeing everyone gathered together, Dee understood why he was meeting them during the day in segments. It really was a large family. And yet it wasn't all of Hitoshi's and Kyoshii's children and grandchildren, because some of them lived in other cities around Japan, and even one still lived in San Francisco.
The restaurant's name also made sense, as an homage to a city that most of this family considered a second home. Not to mention that San Francisco was where Kiko was born and raised. The family greeted them as they arrived. Apparently, they were the last to arrive, and their diversion to let Bikky and Carol go on the Hep Five was to make sure they did arrive last. They were taken to the table of honor next to where the restaurant opened to the terrace. Despite the very American name of the restaurant, the menu had many favorite Japanese dishes as well as American food done Japanese style. They were told to order whatever they wanted. Kiko was not cooking or running the kitchen that night, because she wanted to enjoy having dinner with the family. Despite the restaurant being closed to the public that evening, it was still a workday for her kitchen and wait staff. Dee was certain that it probably wouldn't stop her from going into the kitchen if something came out not to her liking.
"I noticed you liked the wagyu sushi," Hitoshi said with a grin. "Then I suggest you order the Kobe beef platter. You will not be disappointed."
Dee looked at the price on the menu and whistled. He never had a Kobe beef meal before and was not afraid to pay the price for it now since they could afford it. If this was a meal where he was paying, he would not have hesitated, especially since the photo on the menu almost had him salivating. The reason for his hesitation was he knew it was an expensive cut of meat that he would be taking out of his cousins' stock that they could sell to paying customers. "I couldn't do that to Kiko and Katsuro," he remarked, voicing his thoughts."
"Kiko, please come over here," Kyoshii called out to his daughter-in-law.
"What is it, Dad?" she asked when she came over from the table next to theirs.
"Your cousin is afraid of robbing you of your Kobe beef," Kyoshii stated. "I suspect his husband is also feeling the same."
"Really?" Kiko said and laughed. "Nonsense." She looked at the waitress who stood patiently to take their orders. "Himatsu-san, Kobe platters for everyone at this table, please. Also add a couple of orders of takoyaki." Looking at Dee and Ryo, she added, "I will let you and your family pick out your side dishes. And please do not worry about the cost. When my father told me that you were coming here, I already knew we would be having dinner here and ordered all my family's favorites making sure there is enough ingredients to feed us all. The rest of the family helped cover the cost. This is a party in your honor, so enjoy your Kobe platters." She smiled sweetly at them, and then went back to her table.
"Well, that's me being told," Dee said, as Hitoshi and Kyoshii laughed. Family sitting at the tables near them were also laughing, as well as Kiko and Katsuro. Looking at Bikky and Carol, he added, "Okay kids. We're having Kobe beef for dinner. Just make sure whatever else you order, you'll be able to eat."
"I think I'm good with what Kiko ordered," Bikky said.
"Order some vegetables," Ryo insisted. "If you don't, then I will."
"But Dad just said if I don't think I'll be able to eat it, don't order it, Pops," Bikky protested.
"You're not ordering it. I am. And make sure you eat them before you get filled on the beef and takoyaki."
Bikky looked at Dee, who held his hands up. "Don't look at me. I'm having some veggies myself." He grinned and ordered a couple of vegetable tempura platters. "We can share. Okay?" he said to his son.
"Oh cool," Bikky said.
"Thank you, Dee," Carol commented, smiling.
"Good choice, Daisuke," Saburo said and ordered a few more tempura platters. "I do see that we get some simmered greens with the beef. They also have salads, as in American style garden salads, if anyone wants." Then he ordered a salad for himself and Yoshio, and Sakura decided that she also wanted one.
Dee decided a salad wasn't a bad idea after all. Then he started to laugh when Dafydd decided to order a couple of the 15-piece kushikatsu platters.
Carol felt there was enough food and didn't add anything to the order, as did Momo. Ryo asked for a couple of orders of steamed vegetables.
As they waited for their food, some of the relatives who already had ordered came over to ask how the rest of their day was.
It certainly was a full day from early morning, and yet there was still the rest of the night. Dee realized that all the full days were finally catching up with him and considered that after the Dotonbori cruise and the walk to Hozenji Temple and the Hozenji alley, he was going to call it a night and go back to the hotel. They had another full day tomorrow with an early start, and then the day after there was a five-hour drive to Hiroshima. He thought that when they got back to Nagoya, he really wouldn't mind spending the first day just hanging out at his fathers' house and relaxing. His wanting a day off, however, did not mean he wasn't looking forward to going to Hiroshima and Fukuoka. In fact, he couldn't wait to finally see Fukouka again. Also, their stop in Hiroshima wouldn't be as hectic, since the main reason for that stop was to take Bikky to the Peace Memorial Museum and to see the Atomic Dome, which wasn't far from the hotel and definitely walkable. The hotel was also across the street from the Hiroshima Castle so that was also in the plans, but not much else.
There was a lot more to be learned than what they taught in the history books in America, and Dee and Ryo agreed they wanted Bikky to know that. It also had them put Honolulu down as a tentative vacation in the next couple of years and making sure to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Dee had never been there, but Ryo had said it was right to visit both places. At the time, Dee figured it had to do with Ryo's Japanese-American side. Now he knew it was the right thing to do since he also had a Japanese family.
The food started to come out and everyone sat down to eat. The beef was amazing. Bikky had to be enjoying himself from the sounds he was making. Dee suspected he was making the same sounds at times, if the glances Ryo and his fathers were giving him were any indication. Sakura just giggled and went back to eating her food.
Along with what they ordered, the waiter who bought their food also put down baskets of tempura fried potato, which was actually tempura French fries, along with a special spicy catsup dip and the usual tempura dip.
After dinner, the family started to mingle, at times going out to the terrace. In one corner of the terrace was a smoking area, where those in the family who smoked gathered. Dee was still amazed that he was not one of them. The desire never came back after he had Darin and Ryoko. And he was perfectly fine when a couple of times, talking to one of his cousins bought him over to the area, where he joined in the conversation while the other relatives smoked.
They had Darin and Ryoko in highchairs at their table while they ate, but when the eating was done, once again they lost their twins to adoring relatives who wanted to hold them.
As with any Japanese party, the karaoke machine was turned on. Hanako, who was talking to Dee and Saburo started to grin. "Saburo, are you planning to introduce your son to TUBE?" she teased.
"You mean he didn't already?" Nobutake, Hanoko's twin brother, asked, feigning surprise and laughed.
"You might tease, but I never had the chance to introduce TUBE to Daisuke," Saburo said. "My son discovered them on his own while he was at university in Yokohama." His father proudly smiled at Dee. "They are one of his favorite bands and saw them many times. He even got to see them at Yokohama Stadium."
"Not to mention at Osaka Jo Hall," Sam pointed out.
"Yes, that too," Saburo crowed with delight.
Sam gave Dee an evil grin. "Are you going to do 'It's Gonna Be Me' for karaoke, Dee?"
Dee groaned while those who knew about Daigaku Dudes laughed. Finally, he shrugged. "Fine. Yeah, I'll do it." He made a face at his father. "After I do a TUBE song."
Dafydd came up behind Dee and remarked, "You should also do 'J-Boy',"and laughed.
Dee turned to look at his twin standing behind him. "I know that song will never be the same to me after the party in Tokyo."
"No kidding. I want to do a song with you, if you don't mind. It can be your TUBE song. I've been thinking about since after our dinner last Sunday and wondering why we didn't do it then."
"What song is that, Dafydd?" Saburo asked.
Dafydd grinned and placed his finger in front of his lips. "Shh, it's a secret. Until we sing it."
"Do I get to know before we sing it?" Dee asked.
"Sure, but not around this group. Papa, can you get us signed up, while I drag my twin to someplace nice and quiet. There has to be somewhere like that around here."
"Good luck," Sam said and laughed.
As Dee followed Dafydd away from the group, he heard Hanoko ask Sam, "Why did you ask if Dee's going to sing 'It's Gonna Be Me'?"
"Wait for it," Dafydd as with a laugh as they headed out to the terrace. They didn't hear the reply but Dafydd started to laugh more when they heard the squeals come from the female relatives in the area they had come from. "How does Sam know anyway? Did Papa spill again?"
"Carol and Bikky," Dee remarked. "I'm surprised it didn't go around to the rest of the family since we were walking toward Osaka Jo Hall when that group of relatives found out."
"Well, they'll know by the end of tonight, since you told Sam you'll do the song," Dafydd replied with a grin. "Now, if you ask me, you should just come clean about this with the entire family and get it over with. Then by the time karaoke time comes around at the party in Nagoya, no one will be caught off guard. Sure, they'll be glad to know they have another pop star in the family, but they won't act so embarrassingly. Shame Ayaka couldn't join us today. She wanted to but had commitments and then a show. But talk to her about being famous. And don't give me that was about 10 years ago. The song is still being played. That means famous around here. Remember, we're Japanese."
Dee had to laugh. "Yeah I know. And there's a lot that's famous."
"You shouldn't be embarrassed about it."
"I'm not," Dee admitted. "I'm pretty amazed that it was a huge hit, but that's not me anymore. It was only a small part of my life, less than a year."
Dafydd pointed at Dee. "What you just said, it's still a part of your life, even small, and part of what makes you who you are today. Embrace it."
"It seems I'm not getting a choice anymore. Me and the other guys thought it would be fun to just do a couple of our old songs at the party for old times' sake. I really wasn't thinking that it would mean the truth would be out."
"Well it is, D of Daigaku Dudes, even if you are a detective now. Not all people who made top 10 continue being music stars. Many now have normal jobs, some even not as important as what you're doing. But they're happy, because they made their choices. Like you did. It doesn't mean they lock their fame away. I don't mean you have to brag about it every chance you get but be proud about it when it comes up. Maybe even put up a photo of the group in your office."
"Maybe. I'll think about it. Anyway, speaking of me singing, what song do you want us to do?" Dee asked.
Dafydd pulled Dee over away from the other clusters of family, and after checking no one was in hearing distance, leaned close to Dee. "Born in Japan," he said.
Dee's mouth dropped for a moment and then he started to laugh. "Oh hell, all the times I sang that song, I never imagined how true it was. Yeah, sure. I'm certain Papa will get a huge kick out of it. Even if it is a rebellion type song."
"Before I forget, Ayaka wanted to let you know that we're all going to be practicing the moves for Ha Da Ka so we can do it at the party. We all means all nine of Papa's children."
"All nine? Koji too?" Dee asked amazed.
Dafydd started to laugh. "Yes, Koji too. He does loosen up and have fun. He was just acting like a dick that day we were in Ise."
"Most likely influenced by Grandfather," Dee observed.
"He does take this Fujioka heir crap too seriously at times," Dafydd explained. "Tomiji, not so much. Tomiji says that Koji feels threatened now that you're part of the family again."
"He can keep it," Dee commented. "Both him and Tomiji. I'm not interested. I have enough heir crap with Ryo being the MacLean heir, which makes Darin and Ryoko heirs too. I'm just happy having a family that I adore and proud to be part of."
"I'm sure there's an exception," Dafydd commented with a smirk.
"Yeah, and you know who," said Dee.
He noticed Chiasa and Kiko make their way over to them. "Looks like I should be getting back to mingling," Dee said to his twin.
"What are you two up to?" Chiasa asked with a giggle. "I have been watching both of you, and I swear it's as if you never were separated."
"It feels like that," Dee said, "and yet, there's still so much more I'm learning about my twin. Kiko, that was an amazing dinner. I think for once I'm going to pass up the snacking while walking around Dotonbori tonight. I'm stuffed on some great food. Thank you for everything tonight."
"It was no problem at all, Dee. I regularly host family parties here, and sometimes we even get some of the Nagoya family to join in. But this time it was very special, because it was for you. We don't get to have family dinner to welcome home someone we thought was dead until now. I am honored to be able to do this tonight," Kiko said, smiling at Dee.
Dafydd put his arm around Dee's shoulders, pulling him close. "See that, bro? Everybody loves you."
"I guess so. Obāsan was saying something along those lines too." Dee smiled at his cousins.
"I think we're going to need to remain in constant touch," Chiasa said, looking amused. "I think our sons are now best friends. I already had Kenny ask when we can go to New York after you go home."
"I noticed that they get along very well," Dee said. "Chiasa, we are hoping to come back to Japan at least a few times a year, and even come to Osaka. But while we're in New York, when Kenny has vacation from school, he is very welcome to come to New York and stay with us if you and Sam are unable to take him. I'm glad Bikky has a cousin around his age that he became close too. I'm also hoping that some of the Japanese upbringing will also be a positive influence on Bikky."
"I think I may take you up on your offer. I, too, am glad that our sons have become friends already. My children do well in Japan, and have friends, but there are also others who are not very kind," Chiasa said. "I know it can be the same way even in New York with children like ours."
"Thankfully Bikky had enough friends who accept him for who he is. He's very good with making friends, but I think he does find it nice to find a cousin who he can relate to."
Kiko started to giggle. "I can believe Bikky can make friends. He is probably a ringleader too, I'm willing to guess." She looked across the terrace where Bikky, Kenny, and all the other children 18 and under were gathered at a table. Tatsuya had managed to climb onto Bikky's lap, while Kiyoshi sat on Carol's.
Dee started to laugh. "You made me remember the first time we discovered Bikky was hanging around with the kids from the orphanage my mother runs. At least we can trust him to be a good role model these days. Back then," Dee paused to laugh, "not so much."
"Oh, there's Chichi signaling to us," Dafydd said to Dee. "We're probably going to be called up soon. We should hang out inside to watch the karaoke anyway."
"You're probably right. If you would excuse us," Dee said to Kiko and Chiasa.
"If you don't mind, I'll join you. I like watching karaoke too," Kiko said.
"Me too," came from Chiasa.
Together the four headed toward Yoshio, continuing to talk.
OoOoOoO
Saburo was extremely thrilled as he watched his firstborn twin sons sing "Born in Japan" by TUBE. When it was Dee's turn to go up, he knew he had no choice but to do one song. Almost half of the family there knew and were looking forward to seeing one of the main singers of Daigaku Dudes do their big hit. They got a thrill knowing that 'D' from the group was actually one of their family. They also had a great time watching the reactions from the rest of the family once they realized that Dee was singing one of his own hits.
Ryo stood to the side with Sakura, Yoshio and Kyoshii. Bikky and Carol were not far away with most of the other children around their ages. Sakura clenched Ryo's arm as she laughed with delight. Between family reaction and watching both her grandson sing a big hit in Japan that he recorded, and her son's proud cheering and clapping, Sakura could not help her excitement.
"Oh Ryo! I'm so happy that Daisuke is back with us!" she exclaimed, her eyes glistening with tears.
"I'm happy too," Ryo said to her. "This is a wonderful family and I know that Dee already knows that."
"Are you going to sing?" Yoshio asked Ryo.
"No. Not tonight. Maybe next week at the party," Ryo replied.
"Definitely at our party next week," Sakura stated. "I will sing then too," she added with a smile.
"I look forward to it, Obāsan," Ryo said, smiling at his new grandmother-in-law.
"You are in for a real treat," Yoshio said. "Do you think your husband will join in this time?" he asked Sakura.
"There's a very good chance he will," Sakura stated. "He has a lot of work to get on my good side and he knows the songs that will get him on that path." He gave Yoshio a smirk.
Yoshio and Kyoshii started to laugh. "It's a good thing Ryoichi can sing," Kyoshii stated about his brother-in-law. "He should know by now that he better be practicing 'It's Not Unusual'."
Ryo looked at his great-uncle by marriage with curiosity as Yoshio laughed again.
Ryo started to laugh with them. "That's right. Your favorite singer is Tom Jones," he said to Sakura. He looked at Sakura and started to laugh more as a slight blush came across her face. "I think it's sweet."
"It's a shame he doesn't do shows here in Japan," Sakura said, "but that doesn't mean I never saw him in concert. My husband took me to Las Vegas for some of our anniversaries when he had a show there at the time. And also, as part of his apology when he did something to make me mad. Ryoichi also took me to Los Angeles, New York and London to see him over the years."
With a smirk, Kyoshii said, "If my brother-in-law knows what's good for him, he better be finding out where Tom Jones is playing in the near future and start planning another trip."
"He better be!" Sakura exclaimed amused, making everyone laugh.
Yes indeed, Ryo decided, Dee had one helluva interesting family and was looking forward to getting to know them all more in the future.
OoOoOoO
When the party was breaking up, everyone came over to Dee and Ryo, expressing their pleasure at getting to meet them that day and were looking forward to seeing them again the next week in Nagoya. Then the departing relatives went over to the group by Bikky and Carol to collect their children, saying goodbye to the teens, and then took their leave.
Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol were left in the restaurant with Hitoshi and Kyoshii, Katsuro and Kiko, Dafydd and Momo with their boys, Sakura, Saburo and Yoshio. Also staying behind were Shoji, Yoshikazu, Shizuko and Maiko with their two children who wanted to go to Dotonbori and go on the river cruise. Hitoshi assured Dee and Ryo that he had already called and that there was a boat reserved for them.
Kiko and Katsuro left the restaurant closing to the staff, and the group headed down to where the bus would be arriving to pick them up soon.
The bus stopped at the hotel, and it was decided to take all shopping up to their rooms first. As the group entered the hotel, the manager came over to greet Dee, Ryo and Dee's fathers. He then asked Bikky and Carol if they enjoyed Osaka and smiled as both enthusiastically replied how much they enjoyed it and how they needed to come back soon. It also made Hitoshi and Kyoshii smile brightly as they watched.
Then the manager turned to Sakura and with a bow, he greeted in Japanese, "Konnichi wa, Fujioka-sama. Your family's luggage has arrived and in your suite. Will the rest of your family be checking in?" He looked over to the rest of the family who Dee and Ryo decided should come up with them.
"They are with us," Dee said. "This is my family who lives in Osaka and we are spending the day with." When the manager looked at Dee in surprise, Dee's grin grew. "And Fujioka-san is my soba, along with my twin brother and his family."
The manager seemed to have taken his first good look at Dafydd and then looked back to Dee. "Sumimasen, Laytner-MacLean-sama, there was no notice that your family was checking in today." He bowed deeply to Dee and then to Sakura, Dafydd and Momo.
Ryo smirked. "I would think the manager who was on duty when they checked in would have noticed that Dafydd looked a lot like my husband."
"Again, many apologies," said the manager, looking truly humbled as he bowed deeply again. "The only notes when I came on duty was that the hotel owners and family had checked in yesterday and will be staying until Monday. Also, that GPN's CEO's wife and her family checked in today. There were no notes that both were related." He bowed one more time.
Dee smiled kindly at the manager. "It is not your fault that you were not informed."
"Will the manager who was on duty when my mother checked in be on duty tomorrow?" Saburo asked.
The manager looked surprised again when he realized that one of the hotel's owners' father was the son of GPN's owner. With a bow, he said, "Komba wa, Fujioka-sama. Tomorrow is Kashimoto-san's day off. He is next on duty at 8 am on Monday."
Dee heard his father's frustrated sigh and remembered the conversation in their suite after they checked in the evening before, so he placed his arm on Saburo's arm. "Don't worry, Papa." Giving his attention to the manager, he said, "I would like to talk to Kashimoto-san and Yuuko-san on Monday morning before we check out. I also request your presence too."
The manager bowed again. "Again, my forgiveness. I will inform Kashimoto-san and Yuuko-san that you wish to talk to us on Monday morning."
"We will call down when we are ready to talk," Ryo said, picking up on Dee's lead but not wishing to have the managers in their suite for the discussion. He gave a slight bow to the manager. "Please forgive us, but we would like to rest a while before going out again for the night."
"Will you require more seating for your guests, Laytner-MacLean-sama?" the manager asked.
"That is not necessary," Dee said. "We won't be staying long and there is enough pillows and seats for everyone for the short time in our suite."
All the suites were on the same floor, so when they got off the elevator, Sakura, Dafydd and Momo excused themselves so they could check the luggage that had arrived while they were out, promising not to take too long. They also took Kiyoshi and Tatsuya with them, knowing there were going to be enough people in the other suite.
Once inside the suite, Saburo stood by the window and looked at Dee and Ryo. "You were right in requesting to speak to the managers on Monday, Daisuke. I understand that it is of no fault to this manager, but you were wise to have him also meet with you."
"If Dee and Dafydd were just brothers, I can understand the staff not realizing the connection," Hitoshi stated. "But they are twins. Surely someone would have noticed that a guest checking in looked just like one of the owners."
"What if none of the staff on duty knew what the owners looked like, Daddy?" Shoji asked.
"All our coming and going through the lobby were handled by the manager on duty," Ryo answered for Hitoshi. "Even if we're just walking through the lobby, the manager came over to us asking if everything was to our expectations. They also personally handled all our requests for vehicles, including the bus today. Kashimoto, who was the day manager came out to the bus and gave his bows as we boarded the bus and again as the bus pulled out. We did not mention Dee's fathers' names but he was aware that they were one of our fathers and treated them with the same respect. So, I get that they did not get the Fujioka connection."
"I do too," Dee said, "but from my understanding of how the hotels run here, the general manager, Yuuko, checked us in last night. He stayed past his shift waiting for our arrival. I introduced Papa and Chichi to him by name. So yes, he knew the name Fujioka. And he also should have passed that information to the next manager and then the next until we left. Then when my grandmother checked in, I'm pretty sure that GPN's CEO's wife would also have been on a list of VIP guests and would have the manager on duty handle their check in. Which would have been Kashimoto, because Yuuko had off today. Kashimoto knew what I looked like, and if he did notice that Dafydd looks like me, he certainly didn't leave any notes on it for tonight's manager."
"No, he did not," Saburo said. "And you are correct about my mother checking into hotel's. Maybe outside of Japan, unless someone made mention of her being a VIP guest during the reservation, they would have no idea who she is. But in Japan, everyone in guest services know both my grandparents' names. Especially those who use GPN's services, which this hotel does. Dafydd on his own, probably not so much, but when the same manager who knows who the owner of his hotel looks like sees Dafydd, with or without his VIP grandmother, he should have made the connection that he is the brother of one of this hotel's owners."
"Very true," Yoshio agreed. "Of course, we should talk to your mother and Dafydd about the check-in. Momo, too, just to make sure you have all your facts on Monday morning. I don't think any of them deserve to lose their job, but they should be reprimanded."
"That's exactly what I was planning," Dee said. "I wasn't directly insulted, but yeah, I was surprised when even this manager had both Dafydd and me within feet of each other, and no connection was made. So, I'll have a little talk with them and then let corporate know, just to keep things level around here."
"Very good, Daisuke," Saburo said. "I agree. And if you say you do not want them fired because of this incident, then they should not fire them. However, if there are any future incidents involving them with hotel guests, then their luck runs out."
Dee nodded.
"Ojiisan, how come they did not connect you to GPN when Dad introduced you as his father?" Bikky asked from his place on the floor, leaning against a wall.
"I am not Ryoichi or Sakura Fujioka," Saburo replied with a smirk. "Even if me and my twin got the heir position of my generation, I think that my father intended to run GPN as long as he can, meaning we were not pushed as hard to take over GPN or run the shrine as much as poor Tomiji and Koji were. My only duty as heir was to provide the next heirs, being that I am the oldest."
"Which means the only way that Saburo was pushed was to give birth to another set of twin sons since your father and uncle were removed from the running," Yoshio added. "It's a good thing we already had decided on a large family and in a position to provide for such a family."
"Bikky," Ryo started, "just like with me, no one really associates me with The MacLeans of the Hamptons and Edinburgh unless I'm with my family or someone informs where we are going in advance. Plus, there are many other families with the name MacLean who aren't remotely related to me."
"Exactly," Hitoshi piped in. "In Japan, there are Fujiokas, which may not be a very common family name, but there are more than just our family, and then there is The Fujiokas of Nagoya. But like your grandfather said, only my brother and sister-in-law have visibility of being in such a prominent family. The rest of us are as it's said in America, average joes."
"Unless you own a hotel chain and check into your own hotels," Yoshio said. "But that's under the name Laytner-MacLean anyway. But I suspect that after tonight, at least as far as the hotel chain is concerned, Fujioka will also be connected to it. You know that's going to start going around, Daisuke."
Dee let out an amused snort. "They should have known something was up. I mean, they know me as Dee Laytner-MacLean, but I have been called Daisuke around the staff by the two of you," he said to Saburo and Yoshio.
"I would have thought that already knowing there were Fujiokas with the hotel owner, which was a VIP check-in, and the next day another Fujioka check-in, even if they were not noted to be connected, it should have raised some questions," Kyoshii stated. "Questions that should have been asked."
"That is true too," Yoshio agreed, as Hitoshi and Saburo nodded their heads in agreement.
"Maybe you need to change your press release, Dee," Ryo suggested. "After all, I do have that I'm the grandson of Franklin MacLean on mine for the hotel chain. And that I'm also the grandson of Chikaiki's CEO."
"Maybe but remember that it was Franklin MacLean who bought the hotel chain and gave it to us," Dee reminded Ryo. "And I know your grandfather has no problem using his name in your release. Mine? I think I need to check first before I do something like that."
"I do have that I'm Ryoichi Fujioka's son in my release for AkaChiyoshi," Saburo said. "Why would my father object to you using your right to say that you are Fujioka?"
"Because he hates that I'm American and to associate his name to an American owned business would not sit well with him. I'm sure of that," Dee said. "But I'll still think about it and if I decide to do it, perhaps I'll sit down with Obāsan and see what she thinks."
"Probably the best way to go, Daisuke," Yoshio agreed with him. "Even if it is your right."
"That it is," Saburo said, "but you may be right. After all, I do know my father. And yes, going through my mother would be the best way to go should you decide."
"I'm just afraid that once corporate in Japan finds out that I'm Ryoichi Fujioka's grandson, that they'll be expecting more than the normal business discount using GPN services," Dee quipped.
"That won't happen," Saburo said.
"I didn't think so," Dee said and laughed.
They heard a knock at the door and Ryo got up to let Sakura, Dafydd, Momo and the twins into their suite.
Looking over at the door, Dee asked, "Are we ready to head out again?"
"I wanted to get a couple of extra blankets and something warmer to put Darin and Ryoko in first," Ryo said.
"Yeah, good idea. It is getting a bit nippy out there now," Dee said. "I'll help and then we can all head out." He watched as his grandmother took the offered easy chair that was set up near the windows and smiled when she looked at him. He knew his grandmother still handled sitting on the floor with grace, but there was no reason for it when there was a perfect good easy chair near the desk. Everyone who came into the room with them either sat around the table or found a place on the floor or was standing. "We'll be out in a moment," Dee said and took Ryoko from Shoji and followed Ryo with Darin into their bedroom.
OoOoOoO
Hitoshi had called the office for the cruises while they waited as Dee and Ryo got Darin and Ryoko ready for the rest of the evening, so by the time they arrived at the dock where the boats were boarded, there was already a boat waiting behind the one currently being boarded. Once the boat pulled away from the dock, that boat pulled up and in a matter of minutes everyone was seated and ready for the 20-minute cruise along the Dotonbori River. It was night and all along the canal was bright with the various signs and displays on both sides of the water. They had a tour guide who introduced herself as the boat pulled away from the pier. As requested by Hitoshi when he made the reservation, the tour guide, who was Japanese, spoke only in English instead of in both Japanese and English as most tour guides for the cruise did.
Their group was lively and quick to call out something funny, making the tour guide laugh and make a comment in return. They waved to people they passed along the promenade and on the bridges. The woman who was providing the tour also repeated some facts when Bikky or Carol looked like they missed something because someone else was laughing or making a funny comment.
The twenty minutes went by quickly and before they knew it, they were leaving the boat, thanking the woman for the tour and for putting up with them. Once off the boat, the group headed for the Ebisu Bridge.
When they reached the bridge, and started to cross it, Bikky stopped and stared at the railing. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "I didn't notice that last night that these are those spatula things they use for okonomiyaki. That's so cool!"
"To be fair, we don't use them at home, and we didn't get any when we had it in Tokyo," Ryo said to Bikky, "so it's easy to miss it. To be honest, I completely forgot about that," he added with a laugh. He had a rare chance to have Ryoko in her sling. He was surprised that him and Dee were allowed to keep their twins with them while on the boat and after. Dee still had Darin with him. When they left the hotel, they had the slings configured so the babies were facing them, and both babies were currently asleep.
"Yeah, me too," Dee said. "Even if I ate okonomiyaki plenty of times with the spatula in Osaka. Including today. There are some places in Tokyo and Yokohama that use them, but we didn't go to any."
"What's more funny is that the bottom of that round area of the bridge looks like a pan," Carol added. "I'm glad we got it on video, but she already talked about it when I wasn't recording."
"I'm sure Bikky can work with it," Dee suggested, "and you can dub over."
"Maybe even use signs in-between as a lead in or something," Dafydd added.
"Yeah," Bikky said, nodding his head. "I can do that. But I'm not that good at signs."
"I can do them," Dee said, "or maybe we can ask the family here to send something you can use."
"Oh, that would be great," Carol exclaimed. "A little piece of Dee's family to help put the video together."
"I like that idea too," Ryo agreed.
Dee looked at his family. "Do you think I can get some volunteers so Bikky can put together a video of our boat cruise for Carol's YouTube Channel?"
All the family quickly agreed to send something, and Dee was put in charge of making sure everyone knew which section they would have to make a sign for.
They continued their way across the bridge and walked along the few blocks to Hozenji Temple where they stopped for photos and video, and to admire the small, old moss-covered temple. From there they continued along the alley with restaurants on both sides of the streets toward Hozenji Yokocho, a famous old stone-paved alley. There were more restaurants, cafes and bars along the alley, but no one was looking to eat. It was a historic alley, and that was the main reason for the visit. Next, they walked along the Sennichimae Shopping Street. Many of the stores were still open, but some of their group only went into a couple of stores. They were all just enjoying the time together. At some point, Dee and Ryo found themselves without babies because one of Dee's relatives wanted to carry the twins, even if Darin and Ryoko were still sleeping.
They walked along the full stretch of the street and came out of the covered shopping street onto a wide main road with an overhead expressway going along Sennichimae Street. Bikky pointed out that the sign at the entrance of the shopping street said Sennichimae but was not actually the name of the street.
Dee started to laugh as Ryo stared at Bikky. "Are you sure that's the name?"
"Yeah," Bikky said.
"You can read that kanji?" Dee asked.
"Sure." He shrugged. "I wasn't sure if the second kanji was nichi, hi or ka but then I saw the street sign over there, and knew it was nichi. But it's just weird that the shopping street doesn't have the name of whatever street that is."
"Our son is learning kanji," Ryo said to Dee.
"It's a start," Dee replied. "A very good one too. And why? I'm guessing because the street that has the shotengai doesn't have a name, and since Sennichimae runs through the middle of it, they named it after that street."
"You are correct, Dee," Kyoshii said. "And Bikky, I am impressed."
"Kenny and Mami were pointing out the easy or most used kanji to Bikky and me today and added to the kanji we already learned since we came to Japan," Carol explained.
"Then we have to thank Kenny and Mami," Ryo said with a smile. "I think that's great."
"Where to next?" Dee asked.
"We can either go bowling in the bowling alley here," Hitoshi pointed to a building on the corner, "or we walk over to Ebisu Shotengai."
The group quickly came to a consensus to walk to the other shopping street. They walked along the street going back toward the Ebisu Bridge. They continued to walk along a few more streets and finally stopped on the Dotonbori Bridge, looking out along the canal. It was decided a good place for the family to say their farewells until the following Sunday and go their separate ways.
Despite Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura suggesting another date night, Dee and Ryo decided they wanted to go back to the hotel and relax. They told Bikky and Carol that it was okay for them to stay out later, if they wanted, but to be back to the suite by midnight.
"Just remember that we have an early start tomorrow," Ryo reminded Bikky and Carol.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" Bikky asked. "No one told us yet."
"You'll find out when we get there," Dee said. "It should be fun. And Kenny and Mami and their families will be joining us."
"They don't know where we're going either," Ryo added, "so don't try texting them, asking where we're going."
"Okay. Sure," said Bikky.
"And you're still stuck with us for a little while more," Saburo said with a grin. "At least until after we get some steamed custard from the truck."
"Oh yeah, I want to try some of that, Ojiisan," Bikky exclaimed.
"Right. Onto the steamed custard truck then," Dee said.
OoOoOoO
Universal Studios
Konohama, Osaka
Japan
November 12, 2006
As the bus got closer to their destination, Bikky noticed a couple of highway signs that said Universal City. The highway signs were normally in Kanji and English, but Universal City was in katakana. He found it unusual.
"Hey, there's an area in Osaka called Universal City?" he asked.
"I noticed that too," Carol said.
The adults in the bus all started to smirk, Dee's grandmother included.
"Yes, there is," Ryo commented and laughed.
"We are going to meet Katsuro, Kiko, Chiasa and Sam today," Saburo informed him.
"Oh, cool," Bikky said. "I'm looking forward to seeing Kenny and Mami again."
The bus followed the exit for Universal City and went over a bridge. As they came off the bridge, Carol exclaimed, "Oh, that looks like an amusement park! Is that the big secret?"
"That would be cool going to a Japanese amusement park," Bikky said.
"You've been to two of them already," Dee remarked, looking amused. "Hanayashiki in Asakusa and the one in Nagoya near the Aquarium."
"Sea Train Land," Saburo added.
"Yes, that one," Dee remarked and laughed. He looked at Ryo in question, and Ryo nodded. "You want to tell them?" Dee asked Ryo.
"Sure," Ryo said to Dee. To Bikky and Carol, he said, "Yes, that's an amusement area. And yes, that's where we're going and spend most of the day. Let me ask you this? Especially you, Bikky, since you have proven in the past that you stand a chance of becoming a detective one day if your sports career doesn't work out. What did you think of when you saw Universal City?"
"Universal Studios," Bikky replied. "But that's in Hollywood. You said we'd go there one day."
"They also have one in Orlando," Carol said. "Not far from Disney World. Not that I've ever been there."
"One day, Princess. We'll go to Orlando for a week or so," Dee said. "Just to do all the parks there, but for now we're in Japan." With a sly grin, he added, "And we are going to Disneyland in Tokyo for Ryo's birthday. So, there's that."
"I'm looking forward to it," Carol said. "I always wanted to see a Disney park, and Universal Studios would be cool."
"Wait!" Bikky exclaimed. "There's a Universal Studios in Osaka?"
Laughing, Ryo said, "Yes there is. And you're looking at it."
"We're going to Universal Studios?" Bikky asked.
"That's exactly what we're doing," Dee said. "We just decided you needed a little bit of mystery during this trip. I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm looking forward to today."
"And that's why your cousins are meeting us at City Walk. We're all going to spend a day there," Saburo said.
Kiyoshi looked back at Dafydd and Momo, who was sitting behind them. "Papa? What's Universal Studios?" he asked in Japanese.
"Universal Studios in Hollywood is where they film a lot of TV shows and movies in America. It has a very famous tour that visitors can go on. Then they opened one in Florida, with many of the same rides as in Hollywood. And there is one here in Osaka. They opened it a few years back," Dafydd replied in Japanese, realizing he now had both of his sons' attention.
"Do they film TV shows there?" Tatsuya asked. "Or movies?"
"I don't know," Dafydd admitted. He looked over to his fathers. Both men shrugged as Momo shook her head uncertain.
"I don't think they do, Tatsuya," Sakura said. "I think it's only an entertainment park, meaning a lot of rides for you, your brother and cousins to enjoy."
"Bikky, we go on rides?" Kiyoshi asked in English.
"It looks like it," Bikky said with a smile.
"Me too?" asked Tatsuya.
"Of course," Bikky said. "We're going to have lots of fun. Um, totemo kanoshii!" He smiled at his younger cousins.
"YAY!" both little boys exclaimed, and clapped their hands as they bounced happily in their seats.
The bus let them off at a hotel near City Walk, which Sakura stated looked very much like the City Walk in Hollywood. She further explained that once her husband had taken her to Los Angeles to see Tom Jones, and they spent a few days doing various tours while there, including Universal Studios.
"This is exciting that you get to go to Universal Studios in Japan first, but you must make sure your fathers take you to the one in Hollywood. All the movie and television history at that one makes it worth going," Sakura said to Bikky as they went inside the colorful mall.
"My uncle says the rides here are better," Saburo added. "And there are some rides related to things to we have in Japan that you won't see in the Universal Studios in America."
"I bet there's a lot more Japanese technology here than in the other parks," Ryo stated.
"Definitely," Dafydd agreed. "I did get to go to the one in Florida on a spring break." He looked over to Saburo and Yoshio. "Papa and Chichi felt that I shouldn't have to go back to Japan for every break and to experience things in America."
Dee nodded his head in agreement. "Mother said the same to me. She wanted me to use my time off to experience Japan and other parts of Asia. So, I didn't go back to New York until after I graduated."
"There is a reason for going away to college," Saburo stated. "Of course, when I first started telling Dafydd that, I didn't think he'd go as far as New York. But he did, so we made sure he had money to see all he could during his breaks."
Dafydd pointed to his sons, who were on each side of Bikky. "This is their first time to any Universal Studios. They look like they're up to it."
Dee started to laugh. "They might actually run Bikky ragged, and that would be interesting to see."
"They'll run the rest of us too," Momo remarked. "But if they have fun, then it's worth it." She smiled. "That they get to do this with their uncles and cousin will make this day even more special."
"I agree," Yoshio said with a grin. Looking at Dee and Dafydd, he asked, "You know that that means?"
"More videos and photos!" the two twins shouted, which made Tatsuya and Kiyoshi jumped up and down, shouting, "YAY!" and making Bikky and Carol laugh.
"Starting with that," Sakura said as she picked up her camera and pointed it toward her great-grandsons.
The majority of City Walk was mostly food, with a few shops with souvenirs. It was too early to find somewhere to eat and there would be enough places inside the park to buy souvenirs. If by the time they left the park they didn't buy enough inside, they still had to walk through City Walk again to get on the bus.
At the plaza near the Hard Rock Café, they saw Katsuro and Kiko, along with Chiasa and Sam with a group of children. Not only were Kenny and Mami there, but the two adult couples had taken along their nieces and nephews who were under 18. There were nine children together in the group.
The four adults went over to Dee, Ryo and their group, enthusiastically greeting them, while Bikky and Carol followed Kiyoshi and Tatsuya over to the other children.
"My father made arrangements for us to have a picnic area and lunch will also be served there," Katsuro said after everyone greeted each other.
"We will have a selection from many of the places that sell food for lunch and to snack on while resting," Chiasa added.
"That sounds great," Dee said. "We have something like that planned at Disneyland for Ryo's birthday."
"We're also going to have a party for my dad," Bikky said. "This is also going to be fun. We can have a party just because."
"I like how you think, Bikky," Sakura said with approval, smiling warmly at him.
"Are we ready to take on Universal Studios Japan?" Dee asked the group, starting to look as excited as the children.
"Um, I think the real question is, is Universal Studios Japan ready to take on us?" Dafydd remarked, making everyone laugh.
"Let us find out," Saburo remarked as he started on the overpass from the plaza to the park's entrance.
OoOoOoO
Everyone had a great time at the park and spent the day there. It was around 7 pm when they left, and after saying good night to Katsuro, Kiko, Chiasa and Sam, the rest headed for the bus.
"What time do you have to leave?" Dee asked his family who had to head back to Nagoya that night.
"I wish we don't have to," Saburo said, "but I was thinking we can have a family meal first before going over to Shin-Osaka Station."
"We can go to the Korean barbeque place in the station," Dafydd suggested.
"We can get yakinaku in Nagoya," Yoshio said. "Saburo and I were hoping for more Osaka specialty food before we leave."
Sakura started to laugh. "Don't let your father hear that," she exclaimed.
"Ojiisan can't talk," Dafydd commented. "Not with him making us chicken fried steak at times when we have dinner at your house, Obāsan."
Dee's eyebrows raised. "Um, excuse me, but did I hear that right?"
"Oh crap!" Bikky exclaimed and started to laugh.
"Yes, you did," Sakura replied. "Your grandfather and his siblings spent some time in America's south when your great-grandfather worked on the Carrier Project. If you ask my husband, he will say he loves Nagoya food best, and then any Japanese food, but it is obvious American Southern food holds a special place for him. When we are back in Nagoya, I will make sure we have a dinner at our house and get your grandfather and his twin to do the cooking."
"Oh yes please, Obāsan," Dee said while Ryo and Bikky continued to laugh. "This is something I have to see. And taste."
"I'll do my best, Daisuke," Sakura said. "But what should we do for dinner tonight?"
"I'm paying for the bus," Saburo said. "Me and Yoshio, and we decided that we're going back to Dotonbori for dinner. Besides, we still have our bags in our suite, and we can't go back to Nagoya without them." Dee had originally planned on driving the van to the theme park, but the day before, Saburo and Yoshio insisted on renting another bus for their use. The bus they got that day was not a full-size one, seating 15 passengers.
"We can always send them to Nagoya tonight," Sakura offered. In the morning before they left for Universal Studios, Sakura, Dafydd and Momo had checked out of their suite and brought their travel bags to the suite Dee and Ryo were sharing with Dee's fathers, Bikky and Carol. Sakura was going to take the room in the suite that would be vacant once Saburo and Yoshio were on the way back to Nagoya.
"We meant our carry-ons, Haha," Saburo remarked. "Yoshio and I took our bigger suitcases down to the 7-Eleven before Daisuke and his family was up." He gave his mother a smirk. "We need to go back and get our bags, and then we can take a taxi from the hotel to Shin-Osaka Station."
Dafydd raised his hand. "Excuse me, Obāsan, but Momo and I didn't do that yet. We have all our luggage."
"See? After dinner, Dafydd and Momo should go down to the 7-Eleven and then we can all get a cab. Or even take the train," Saburo said.
"I agree with Papa," Dafydd commented.
Momo looked at her young sons in concern, and then at her husband and finally at Dee. She nodded. "Yes, I agree with my husband."
Dee smiled at his grandmother. "Sorry Obāsan, but I'm with them. That means I have a little more time with my fathers and twin brother and his family before you have us all to yourself for almost 5 days."
Sakura returned Dee's smile and nodded regally. "I understand, Daisuke. We'll go with that plan."
Ryo happily sat back, thoroughly enjoying the exchange between three generations of Fujiokas. He was also sad to see Dee's fathers and his twin's family go home, but he was looking forward to the next few days with Dee's grandmother.
Especially since she didn't bring Dee's grandfather along with her.
OoOoOoO